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West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PABST ANDREW Address: 19 BENSON AVENUE

Service Branch: Rank: PFC

Unit / : BATTERY "C", 562ND A.A.A. (A.W.) (ANTI- - AIR WARNING)

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private First-Class

Base Assignments: Camp McCoy, Wisconsin - Located near Sparta, the original camp was split into two sections: Camp Emory Upton and Camp Robinson / In 1910, the Army renamed the entire tract "Camp Bruce E. McCoy" for Robert Bruce McCoy, a retired general who first proposed the area as a training ground and bought part of the property on which the fort stands / In 1926, the name of the post was shortened to "Camp McCoy" / During World War II, Camp McCoy was used as a training facility for units from across the that were preparing to enter combat / The post was also used as a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp during the conflict

Miscelleaneous: With much of World War II fought in the air, anti-aircraft weapons were weapons that could specifically direct their offense against air targets / The mission of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery units were to detect hostile aircraft and destroy them / Radar aided antiaircraft gunners by providing accurate information about the range, speed, and altitude of incoming enemy planes

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PARMELE JR. NELSON C. Address: 154 AURORA AVENUE

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron: "B", 8TH BATTALION, 2ND

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private

Base Assignments: Fort McClellan, Alabama - Fort McClellan, originally Camp McClellan, was a post located adjacent to the city of Anniston, Alabama / Camp was named in honor of George B. McClellan, General-in-Chief of the United States Army 1861-1862, and Governor of 1878-1881 / During World War II, it was one of the largest U.S. Army installations, training an estimated half-million

Miscelleaneous:

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PATTERSON GEORGE F. Address: ROSE AVENUE

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron: HEADQUARTERS BATTALION, 589TH BATTALION

Medals / Citations:

MARKSMANSHIP BADGE: SHARPSHOOTER - CARBINE

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The 589th Battalion was activated in July 1944 and shipped to England / During World War II, the 589th Battalion saw combat action during the campaigns for the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe

A Marksmanship Badge is a badge of the United States Armed Forces presented to personnel upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course or high placement in an official marksmanship competition / The U.S. Military's Marksmanship Qualification Badges are awarded in three grades (highest to lowest): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman

The M1 carbine was a lightweight, easy to use .30 carbine semi-automatic carbine that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II / The M1 carbine gained generally high praise for its small size, light weight and firepower, especially by those troops who were unable to use a full-size rifle as their primary weapon / A total of over 6.1 million M1 carbines of various models was manufactured, making it the most produced small arm for the American military during World War II

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PAUL ALEXANDER J. Address: TERRACE BOULEVARD

Service Branch:ARMY Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: NORTH AFRICAN THEATER

Service Notes: Alexander J. Paul served 2 1/2 years in the Army and served in the North African Campaign for nine months

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War.

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PAUL CLETUS Address: TERRACE BOULEVARD

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron: 824TH M.H.S.P., BARRACKS 1053, AREA 10

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private

Base Assignments: Camp Kilmer, New Jersey - Camp was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation / Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in preparation for transport to the European Theater of Operations in World War II / Eventually, it became the largest processing center for troops heading overseas and returning from World War II, processing over 2.5 million / It officially closed in 2009 / The camp was named for , the -poet killed in while serving with The Fighting 69th, most famous for writing the poem, "Trees"

Miscelleaneous:

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PAUL CLIFFORD J. Address: TERRACE BOULEVARD

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: CPL

Unit / Squadron: COMPANY "C", 39TH REGIMENT, COMPANY, 9TH

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL 8 STARS AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Clifford J. Paul earned 8 Battle Stars for action in combat during the European Campaign

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: During World War II the 39th Infantry regiment fought as part of the 9th Infantry Division / The 39th became the first unit of United States combat troops to set foot on foreign soil when they stormed the beaches of Algiers in November 1942 / The 39th landed at on 10 June 1944 (D+4) with other reinforcing units and then fought through the rugged French countryside / The 39th fought valiantly through the , helped secure the Remagen bridgehead and roared across as the allied forces finished off the last of the German resistance

Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns, grenades, mortars, etc.

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

The American Defense Service Medal (also referred to as the Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon) was a military award of the United States Armed Forces intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces / The Navy Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963 / The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service" / Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PAUL ROBERT C. Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PAUL THOMAS J. Address: FLOHR AVENUE

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private Thomas J. Paul enlisted in the Army in 1944 and completed Basic Training / While on the way to Normandy for the D-Day invasion, Paul was held back due to a medical complication / Paul was found to have a heart murmur and was Honorably Discharged from the Army

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Thomas J. Paul graduated from Bellwood School in 1940 / After his discharge from the Army, Paul moved to Arizona for his health, but returned to West Seneca after a year / Paul worked at ExxonMobil Corp. as a pipefitter until 1961 / Paul went to work at Erie County BOCES as the head custodian at the Potters Road School for 25 years until his retirement / As one of the original charter members of the First Baptist Church in the mid- 1960s, Paul and his wife, Eleanor, served as Sunday School teachers / Thomas J. Paul passed away on 30 June 2019 at the age of 96

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PEARCE WILLIAM J. Address: 447 MAIN STREET

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: S. 1/C

Unit / Squadron: USS WINDSOR (APA-55), DIVISION 2

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Seaman First-Class

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Seamen served as members of damage control or emergency and security alert teams / They participated in Navy ceremonies and took part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea), and they worked with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience / A Seaman was knowledgeable in naval drill duties, knots, steering and signaling / Also stood watch and handled gunnery duties

The USS Windsor (APA-55) was an attack transport / She served in Ocean and provided transport service / The Windsor returned home at war’s end with five battle stars to her credit / Commissioned on 17 June 1943 and decommissioned on 4 March 1946

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PEAVOY CHARLES E. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: T/SGT

Unit / Squadron: COMPANY "L", 47TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 9TH DIVISION

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION 3 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Technical Sergeant Charles E. Peavoy was wounded during combat action during the European Campaign

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The 47th Infantry Regiment was activated 10 August 1940 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina / During World War II, the 47th Infantry participated in the campaigns for Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe / The Regiment earned several Presidential Unit Citations, the French and the Belgian Fourragere for their meritorious service

Infantry refers to soldiers moving and fighting on foot, armed with hand weapons such as rifles, machine guns, grenades, mortars, etc.

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

The Purple Heart was instituted in 1782 by George Washington and is the first American decoration / Originally it was awarded for bravery in action, currently it is awarded to those wounded or killed in action

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon referred to as the “Victory Ribbon” / By 1946, a full medal had been established which was referred to as the World War II Victory Medal / The medal commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946

The Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantrymen and Soldiers in the rank of and below, who personally fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of an infantry, Ranger or Special Forces unit, of size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941

The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the United States Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941

An Overseas Service Bar indicates a soldier has served six months of service in a combat zone / Overseas Service Bars are cumulative, in that each bar worn indicates another six-month period / Time spent overseas is also cumulative, meaning one bar could be earned for two separate deployments totaling six months

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PEAVY HAROLD A. Address:

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: S. 2/C

Unit / Squadron: USS CLARK (DD-361)

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Seaman Second-Class

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Seamen served as members of damage control or emergency and security alert teams / They participated in Navy ceremonies and took part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea), and they worked with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience / A Seaman was knowledgeable in naval drill duties, knots, steering and signaling / Also stood watch and handled gunnery duties

The USS Clark was a Porter-class commissioned on 20 May 1936 and saw convoy duty in the Pacific Theater where she earned 2 Battle Stars / Between 4 and 11 April 1945, The Clark guarded the passage of six transatlantic convoys to ports in the United Kingdom and France / Decommissioned on 23 October 1945

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PENROD MELVIN E. Address: 94 ORCHARD PARK ROAD

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: SGT

Unit / Squadron: 621ST PORT COMPANY, 491ST PORT BATTALION

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Sergeant Melvin E. Penrod trained soldiers as Stevedores to load and unload cargo vessels any place in the world needed for war operation

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The 491st Port Battalion was activated in early 1943 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in southern Pennsylvania / The purpose of the Battalion was to train GI Soldiers as Stevedores to load and unload cargo vessels any place in the world needed for war operation / After training the Battalion was sent to San Francisco and Oakland, California in May 1943 to receive live training working as stevedore on the docks / The Battalion was shipped overseas to Oro Bay, New Guinea in July 1943 where they stayed until the end of

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PERRY ALLEN M. Address: 41 HILLDALE AVENUE

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron: 735TH BATTALION, COMPANY "B"

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private

Base Assignments: , Minnesota - Fort Snelling, originally known as Fort Saint Anthony, began construction in 1820 / Upon its completion in 1825, the Army renamed the fort as "Fort Snelling" in honor of its and architect, Colonel Josiah Snelling / Fort Snelling was used as the Service Language School to teach the Japanese language to Army personnel

Miscelleaneous:

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PETERSON GEORGE F. Address: 73 ROSE AVENUE

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron: HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 589TH BATTALION

Medals / Citations:

MARKSMANSHIP BADGE: MARKSMAN - CARBINE

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private

Base Assignments: Camp Atterbury, Indiana - Located near Edinburgh, Indiana, the camp was named for William Wallace Atterbury (1866–1935), an executive of the Pennsylvania Railroad and a commissioned Army who was charged with overseeing the construction and operation of U.S. military railways in France, between August 1917 and May 1919

Miscelleaneous: A Marksmanship Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces presented to personnel upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course or high placement in an official marksmanship competition / The U.S. Military's Marksmanship Qualification Badges are awarded in three grades (highest to lowest): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman

The M1 carbine was a lightweight, easy to use .30 carbine semi-automatic carbine that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II / The M1 carbine gained generally high praise for its small size, light weight and firepower, especially by those troops who were unable to use a full-size rifle as their primary weapon / A total of over 6.1 million M1 carbines of various models was manufactured, making it the most produced small arm for the American military during World War II

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PETRIE CARLTON D. Address: 99 DIRKSON AVENUE

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: C.B.M.

Unit / Squadron: ATHLETIC BUILDING, U. S. TRAINING BASE

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Chief Boatswain's Mate

Base Assignments: Camp Bradford (Norfolk, Virginia) - Initially Camp Bradford was a training base for Navy , but in 1943 it was changed into a training center for the crews of LSTs (Landing Ship ) / The camp also provided amphibious assault training for landing large numbers of American troops on foreign shores

Miscelleaneous: Boatswain's Mates trained, directed and supervised personnel in ship's maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike (a tool used to help tie large knots), deck, boat seamanship painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment and boats / Boatswain's Mates took charge of working parties; performed seamanship tasks; acted as petty officer-in-charge of picketboats, self-propelled barges, tugs, and other yard and district craft / Directed salvage operations / Operated and maintained equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores / Took charge of and supervised Underway Replenishment procedures and equipment / Were integral to ship's navigation and served as ship's Helmsman

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PETTIT DONALD O. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY Rank:

Unit / Squadron: 730TH RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION 765TH RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL 1 BATTLE STAR MARKSMANSHIP BADGE: MARKSMAN GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Donald O. Pettit earned a Battle Star for combat action during the European Campaign

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The Military Railway Service was created in the 1920s as a reserve force for the Division of the United States Army / Each railway operating battalion was established with four companies / The HQ company was the headquarters and was used for signaling, dispatching, and supplying their of the railway / The A company was set up to handle the maintenance of tracks themselves, the B company handled the maintenance of the rolling stock through the stations, and the C company was set up with roughly 50 men to operate the trains in their area / In the European Theater of Operations (ETO), the 1st and 2nd Military Railway Service (MRS) was used to control supply by rail in this theater / The 1st was assigned to the Mediterranean with Italy, North Africa, and Southern France as its main areas of operations / The 2nd was assigned Northern France to Germany

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

A Marksmanship Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces presented to personnel upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course or high placement in an official marksmanship competition / The U.S. Military's Marksmanship Qualification Badges are awarded in three grades (highest to lowest): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces / The Navy Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963 / The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service" / Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PETTIT J. E. Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PFEIFFER CARL A. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PVT

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

MARKSMANSHIP BADGE: EXPERT - RIFLE

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Private

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: A Marksmanship Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces presented to personnel upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course or high placement in an official marksmanship competition / The U.S. Military's Marksmanship Qualification Badges are awarded in three grades (highest to lowest): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PHILLIPS EDWARD C. Address: 108 BROOKSIDE DRIVE

Service Branch:ARMY - AIR FORCE Rank: LT. COL.

Unit / Squadron: U.S.A.T.C. (UNITED STATES ARMY TRANSPORTATION CORPS ), 14 PORT

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK CLUSTERS

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Colonel Edward C. Phillips was the commander of a B-24 Liberator squadron in Italy

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Edward C. Phillips attended Canisius College and was employed by the International Milling Company before entering the service

Often compared with the better-known Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator was a more modern design with a higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics / The B-24 ended World War II as the most produced in history / At over 18,400 units, half by Ford Motor Company, it still holds the distinction as the most-produced American

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement" while participating in an aerial , subsequent to November 11, 1918

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

The Air Medal is awarded to anyone who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, and has distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight / Subsequent awards are annotated with the traditional oak leaf clusters

An oak leaf cluster is a miniature metal device worn by members of the uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons issued by the United States Army, Air Force, and Department of Defense to denote subsequent decorations and awards / It is bronze or silver in appearance, formed as a twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem / The bronze oak leaf cluster represents one additional award, while the silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PHILLIPS LEWIS T. Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PIECZYNSKI J. R. Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PITCHURE CLAYTON R. Address: 1144 ORCHARD PARK ROAD

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: A.M.M. 2/C

Unit / Squadron: N.A.S. (NAVAL AIR SHIPS), H.T.A. (HEAVIER THAN AIR)

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Aviation Machinist's Mate Second-Class

Base Assignments: Sampson, New York - In the three-and-a-half years of its operation during World War II, the Sampson Naval Training Station trained 411,429 naval recruits before closing in 1946 / The camp was named in honor of a local Seneca County native, Rear William T. Sampson, from Palmyra, New York, a hero of the Battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War

Naval Air Station (Watsonville, California) - The Naval Air Ships were K-class non-rigid airships (a class of blimps) built by the Goodyear Aircraft Company of Akron, Ohio for the / The Naval base at Watsonville supported the Navy’s Airship for submarines off the U.S. coast / The Airships departed on 12-hour submarine patrols, convoy escort flights or on many occasions, to perform air-sea rescues / The Airship facility was closed down in late 1945 as the Airships were no longer required

Naval Air Technical Training Center (Norman, Oklahoma) - Naval based trained in Advanced Aviation, Combat Aircrewman Training and Aviation Metalsmiths

Naval Air Station Alameda (Alameda, California) - Station was used for air support training, fleet radar operator's school, celestial navigation trainer school, and aviation storekeeper school / In , the USS Hornet (CV-8) entered Alameda to load the 16 B-25 aircraft that would take part in the Doolittle Raid on Japan

Shoemaker, California - Camp Shoemaker housed a Naval Hospital and Naval Training and Personnel Distribution Center designed to handle naval personnel on their way to, or returning from, the Pacific

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York C.A.S.U. - Hawaii - Carrier Aircraft Service Unit, Air 5

Lido Beach (Long Island, New York) - Air Group 5

Miscelleaneous: Aviation Machinist’s Mates are United States Navy aircraft engine mechanics that inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines and propellers / More specifically, ADs install, maintain, and service various aircraft engine types as well as various accessories, gear boxes, related fuel systems, and lubrication systems; determine reasons for engine degradation using various test equipment; perform propeller repairs; handle and service aircraft ashore or aboard ship; and can also serve as aircrewman in various types of aircraft

When the United States entered World War II, the U.S. Navy had 10 nonrigid airships / Heavier than airships were suitable for combat and were quickly pressed into service against Japanese and German submarines which were then sinking American shipping within visual range of the American coast / In the years 1942–44, approximately 1,400 airship pilots and 3,000 support crew members were trained in the military airship crew training program and the airship military personnel grew from 430 to 12,400 / The primary airship tasks were and convoy escort near the American coastline / They also served as an organization center for the convoys to direct ship movements, and were used in naval search and rescue operations / Rarer duties of the airships included aerophoto reconnaissance, naval mine-laying and mine-sweeping, unit transport and deployment, cargo and personnel transportation / Airships were deemed quite successful in their duties with the highest combat readiness factor in the entire US Air Force

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

The American Campaign Medal/Ribbon (also known as the (ATO) American Theater of Operations Ribbon) was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The ribbon was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the American Theater of Operations during World War II / The requirements for the American Campaign Ribbon were for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The American Campaign Medal was issued as a service ribbon only for the entirety of the Second World War, and was only made a full-sized medal in 1947

The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon referred to as the “Victory Ribbon” / By 1946, a full medal had been established which was referred to as the World War II Victory Medal / The medal commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PIZZUTI ANTHONY C. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: CPL

Unit / Squadron: 225TH F.A. (FIELD ARTILLERY), 24TH CORPS

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/3 BRONZE STARS AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL W/1 BRONZE STAR GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Corporal

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The Field Artillery is the branch of the army whose mission is to support the infantry by artillery fire, destroying, neutralizing or suppressing the enemy elements that threaten land forces / Increased mobility; fire direction centers, which enhanced their firepower; aerial observation; and radio communications increased the efficiency and accuracy to support ground forces

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 / Bronze service stars were awarded to all services for participation in designated campaigns

The American Defense Service Medal (also referred to as the Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon) was a military award of the United States Armed Forces intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941

The Philippine Liberation Medal was a military award of the Republic of the presented to any service member, of both Philippine Commonwealth and allied , who participated in the liberation of the Philippine Islands between the dates of 17 and 2 September 1945 / The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service in the last days of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines and then to eventually surrender in September 1945 / To be awarded the medal, a service member must have served in the Philippines for at least thirty days during the eligible time period /

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York Bronze service stars were awarded to all services for participation in designated campaigns

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces / The Navy Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963 / The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service" / Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PLATT CHARLES W. Address: 107 KNOX AVENUE

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: SGT

Unit / Squadron: 249TH F.A. (FIELD ARTILLERY), 32ND DIVISION 91ST DIVISION, 6TH ARMY

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/ 3 BRONZE STARS 6 BATTLE STARS WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL W/ 1 BRONZE STAR GOOD CONDUCT

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Sergeant Charles W. Platt fought in the New Guinea, (Territory of New Guinea), Goodenough Island (Territory of Papua), Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Philippine Island Campaigns earning 6 Battle Stars / Sergeant Platt was part of the American forces that participated in the

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The Field Artillery is the branch of the army whose mission is to support the infantry by artillery fire, destroying, neutralizing or suppressing the enemy elements that threaten land forces / Increased mobility; fire direction centers, which enhanced their firepower; aerial observation; and radio communications increased the efficiency and accuracy to support ground forces

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon referred to as the “Victory Ribbon” / By 1946, a full medal had been established which was referred to as the World War II Victory Medal / The medal commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty,

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946

The Philippine Liberation Medal was a military award of the Republic of the Philippines presented to any service member, of both Philippine Commonwealth and allied militaries, who participated in the liberation of the Philippine Islands between the dates of 17 October 1944 and 2 September 1945 / The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service in the last days of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines and then to eventually surrender in September 1945 / To be awarded the medal, a service member must have served in the Philippines for at least thirty days during the eligible time period

Bronze service stars were awarded to all services for participation in designated campaigns

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces / The Navy Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963 / The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service" / Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PLATT NORMAN J. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Norman J. Platt served in an Anti-Aircraft (AA) Unit attached to / Platt saw action in North Africa and Italy

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PLUMLEY GUILFORD A. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: LT.

Unit / Squadron: STATION HOSPITAL

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Lieutenant

Base Assignments: Camp Fannin, Texas - Camp Fannin was a U.S. Army Infantry Replacement Training Center and POW Camp opened in 1943 and located near Tyler, Texas / Originally planned as a U.S. Army Air Corps station, Camp Fannin was established in the spring of 1943, the camp was named for Col. James Walker Fannin, a Texas Revolutionary War hero, who died at Goliad, Texas

Miscelleaneous: In the years from 30 June 1943 to 30 June 1945 the Medical Department trained 189 General Hospitals, 74 Field Hospitals and 61 Station Hospitals for overseas service / In 1945, when the peak of overseas shipments occurred, the War Department sent 81 General, 35 Field, and 8 Station Hospitals to the various Theaters of Operations (European, African and Asiatic-Pacific) / By May 1945, when the peak in Hospital beds overseas was reached, there were 335,000 fixed beds and about 87,000 mobile beds in all Theaters

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POKORNOWSKI VICTOR J. Address:

Service Branch:MARINE CORPS Rank: PFC

Unit / Squadron: SS-11, MAG-11, SMAW (MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP) (SECOND MARINE AIRCRAFT ), VMF- 114 HQ

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON 2 BATTLE STARS PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION MARKSMANSHIP BADGE: SHARPSHOOTER

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Private First-Class Victor J. Pokornowski earned 2 Battle Stars for combat action in the Pacific Theater

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit / During World War II, MAG-11 participated in combat action in the Solomon Islands, New Britain, , Central Pacific Areas, and the Philippines

Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 114 (VMF(AW)-114) was a fighter squadron of the United States Marine Corps during World War II and continued in service until their deactivation in July 1965 / Known as the “Death Dealers”, they made their biggest mark providing close air support during the Battle of

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the United States Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941

A Marksmanship Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces presented to personnel upon

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York successful completion of a weapons qualification course or high placement in an official marksmanship competition / The U.S. Military's Marksmanship Qualification Badges are awarded in three grades (highest to lowest): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman

Name: POLICHITTI JOSEPH Address: UNION ROAD

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: S. 1/C

Unit / Squadron: 21ST U.S. NAVAL COAST BAL, COMPANY C5

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Seaman First-Class

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Seamen served as members of damage control or emergency and security alert teams / They participated in Navy ceremonies and took part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea), and they worked with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience / A Seaman was knowledgeable in naval drill duties, knots, steering and signaling / Also stood watch and handled gunnery duties

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POMERHN CHARLES P. Address: 1471 UNION ROAD

Service Branch:ARMY - AIR FORCE Rank: 1ST. LT.

Unit / Squadron: 5TH AIR FORCE, 63RD BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 43RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/3 BRONZE STARS AIR MEDALS W/2 OAK CLUSTERS 3 BATTLE STARS AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL W/1 STAR (ANTI-SUB SERVICE)

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Piloting a lone B-24 Liberator through intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, First-Lieutenant Charles P. Pomerhn attacked a convoy of 8 Japanese ships in the Bismarck Sea / Piloting the plane within 100 feet of the largest Japanese transport, Lieutenant Pomerhn managed to drop his load of bombs on the ship / Riddled by anti- aircraft flak from nose to tail and losing the electrical, hydraulic and radio systems, the plane managed to reach its home base / Lieutenant Pomerhn had to pilot his plane over the field for three hours before he was able to get his landing gear down / The plane landed just in time to prevent a crash landing with three motors quitting simultaneously and out of gas / 1st Lieutenant Charles P. Pomerhn earned 3 Battle Stars in the air campaign for New Guinea, the Bismarck Sea and the Northern Solomons

Lieutenant Pomerhn flew 35 missions in the Pacific including the New Guinea and Northern Solomons Campaigns

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 15 Jan 1941 and trained with B-17, B-18, A-29, and LB-30 aircraft / The Group flew antisubmarine patrols along the New England coast from December 1941 through February 1942 / Operating from Australia, New Guinea, and Owi Island during August 1941 through , the 43rd Bombardment Group made numerous attacks on Japanese shipping in the East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago / The 43rd flew support for ground forces on New Guinea; made attacks on airfields and installations in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Celebes, Halmahera, , Palau, and the southern Philippines; and flew long-range raids against oil refineries on Ceram and Borneo / The 43rd Bombardment Group returned to the Philippines in in December 1945 and was inactivated on 29 April 1946 / The Bombardment Group received the Distinguished Unit Citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Often compared with the better-known Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator was a more modern design with a higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics / The B-24 ended World War II as the most produced heavy bomber in history / At over 18,400 units, half by Ford Motor Company, it still holds the distinction as the most-produced American military aircraft

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 / The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal awarded Bronze service stars to all services for participation in designated campaigns and a bronze arrowhead device was awarded for participation in designated Army amphibious and airborne combat assaults

The Air Medal is awarded to anyone who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, and has distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight / Subsequent awards are annotated with the traditional oak leaf clusters

Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

The American Campaign Medal/Ribbon (also known as the (ATO) American Theater of Operations Ribbon) was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The ribbon was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. The requirements for the American Campaign Ribbon were for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The American Campaign Medal was issued as a service ribbon only for the entirety of the Second World War, and was only made a full-sized medal in 1947 / Bronze service stars were awarded to all services for participation in designated campaigns

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POTH JACK S. Address: 1325 INDIAN CHURCH ROAD

Service Branch:ARMY - AIR FORCE Rank: SGT

Unit / Squadron: 8TH AIR FORCE, 801ST BOMB GROUP, BOMBER STATION ENGLAND 492ND BOMB GROUP

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: An armorer-gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator, Sergeant Jack S. Poth was responsible for checking the condition of the bombs as they were loaded into the bomber and checking them again once they were put in place / Sergeant Poth was also responsible for inspecting the turrets and guns aboard the aircraft / During missions Sergeant Poth was in the tail of the aircraft as the plane's tail gunner / Sgt Poth flew clandestine night missions for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) / Sgt Poth also flew bombing missions for the Royal Air Forces (RAF)

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Jack S. Poth was a graduate of West Seneca High School and employed by the Rochester ordnance district as an inspector before he entered the service in November 1943

The 8th Air Force was established on 22 February 1944 at High Wycombe Airdrome, England and was an Army Air Forces combat air force in the European Theater of World War II, engaging in operations primarily in the Northern Europe area of operation; carrying out of enemy targets in France, the Low countries, and Germany; and engaging in air-to-air fighter combat against enemy aircraft until the German surrender in May 1945 / The 8th Air Force was the largest of the deployed combat Army Air Forces in numbers of personnel, aircraft, and equipment

The 801st Bomb Group was established as part of the in late March 1944 to carry out 'Carpetbagger' missions / These were night missions over France and other parts of occupied Europe to support resistance forces by dropping in agents, supplies and leaflets / The B-24 Liberators flown by the Group were painted black to help the crews evade detection by enemy anti-aircraft positions / On 13 August 1944, the Group was redesignated as the 492nd Bomb Group

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Often compared with the better-known Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator was a more modern design with a higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics / The B-24 ended World War II as the most produced heavy bomber in history / At over 18,400 units, half by Ford Motor Company, it still holds the distinction as the most-produced American military aircraft

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POTTS JAMES J. Address:

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: Y. 2/C

Unit / Squadron: USS LST-679 (LANDING SHIP, TANK)

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Yeoman Second-Class

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Yeomen performed administrative and clerical work / Dealt with visitors, coordinate worldwide travel, submit passport applications, telephone calls and incoming mail, and assist various ships, squadrons, commands, and special warfare teams around the world with administrative tasks / Yeomen wrote and typed business and social letters, notices, directives, forms and reports

LST-679 was commissioned on 15 July 1944 and assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the landing in November 1944 and the Island landings in April 1945 / LST-679 earned two battle stars for World War II service and decommissioned on 24 June 1946

Landing Ship, Tank (LST) is the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore / From their combat debut in the Solomon Islands in June 1943 until the end of the hostilities in August 1945, the LSTs performed a vital service in World War II / They participated in the invasions of Sicily (Operation Husky), Italy, Normandy, and southern France in the European Theater and were an essential element in the island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific that culminated in the liberation of the Philippines and the capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POULSEN, JR. ALEXANDER Address: 161 EDSON STREET

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PFC

Unit / Squadron: COMPANY D, 193RD INFANTRY 194TH INFANTRY, 17TH AIRBORNE DIVISION

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL PURPLE HEART

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Private First-Class Alex Poulsen Jr. (20 years old), a , was Killed in Action (KIA) while in Germany on 24 March 1944 as part of an Airborne attack behind German lines

Private First-Class Alex Poulsen Jr. is honored at the Netherlands American Cemetery (Margraten, Netherlands) on the Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded the names of 1,722 American missing service personnel

Base Assignments: Camp Forrest (Tullahoma, Tennessee) - Camp Forrest, named after Civil War cavalry Confederate General , was one of the U.S. Army's largest training bases during World War II / The camp was a training area for infantry, artillery, engineer, signal organizations, and cooks / It also served as a hospital center and temporary encampment area for troops during maneuvers / Camp Forrest officially became a camp on 12 May 1942, housing Italian and German POWs

Miscelleaneous: Alex Poulsen Jr. was a graduate of West Seneca High School / Poulsen entered the service in April 1943

Glider infantry was a type of airborne infantry in which soldiers and their equipment were inserted into enemy controlled territory via military glider rather than parachute

The 194th Regiment was a Glider infantry regiment of the United States Army that served in World War II / It was a part of the 17th Airborne Division, and saw active combat service until it deactivation in 1945

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

The Purple Heart was instituted in 1782 by George Washington and is the first and oldest military American decoration / The Purple Heart is awarded to military service members wounded or killed in action, in the latter case posthumously

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POWELL ALICE E. Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: POWERS MICHAEL T. Address:

Service Branch:ARMY - AIR FORCE Rank: SGT

Unit / Squadron: COMPANY D, 4TH REPLACEMENT BATTALION, A.S.F.P.R.D. (ARMY SERVICES FORCES)

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON 1 BATTLE STAR AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Sergeant Michael T. Powers was assigned to a special 155 millimeter caliber field gun with the Sixth Army / Sergeant Powers earned a Battle Star during fighting to liberate New Guinea from Japanese forces

Base Assignments: Camp Beale, California - Established in 1942, Camp Beale is named for Edward Fitzgerald Beale (1822–1893), an American Navy Lieutenant and a Brigadier General in the California who was an explorer and frontiersman in California / Camp Beale also housed a German POW camp, and served as the main camp for a series of satellite POW camps around northern California

Miscelleaneous: In March 1942, there was a sweeping reorganization of the Army / This was the result of dissatisfaction with the existing structure, with the United States Army Air Forces in particular seeking greater autonomy / The Chief of Staff wanted no more than three commands reporting to him, so everything which did not fit into the Army Ground Forces or Army Air Forces became part of the Services of Supply, which were renamed the Army Service Forces on 12 March 1943

The 155mm Gun M1 and M2, widely known as "Long Tom", were 155 millimeter caliber field guns used as a heavy field weapon and were also classed as secondary armament for seacoast defense by the United States armed forces during World War II / The gun could fire a 100 pound shell to a maximum range of 13.7 miles, with an estimated accuracy life of 1,500 rounds

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

The American Defense Service Medal (also referred to as the Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon) was a military award of the United States Armed Forces intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941

Name: PRANGLE R. L. Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PRENTICE EARL Address:

Service Branch: Rank: CPL

Unit / Squadron: U.S.N.H. (UNITED STATES NAVAL HOSPITAL)

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes: Corporal

Base Assignments: St. Albans, New York - St. Albans was the East Coast referral center for respiratory disorders in the U.S. Navy / The U.S. Naval Hospital at St. Albans was established in the early 1940s on a former golf course in the Borough of Queens to serve the U.S. military and expand services that were previously centered at the U.S. Naval Hospital in the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Miscelleaneous: In the years from 30 June 1943 to 30 June 1945 the Medical Department trained 189 General Hospitals, 74 Field Hospitals and 61 Station Hospitals for overseas service / In 1945, when the peak of overseas shipments occurred, the War Department sent 81 General, 35 Field, and 8 Station Hospitals to the various Theaters of Operations (European, African and Asiatic-Pacific) / By May 1945, when the peak in Hospital beds overseas was reached, there were 335,000 fixed beds and about 87,000 mobile beds in all Theaters

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PRIOR THEODORE A. Address: 99 EAST & WEST ROAD

Service Branch:ARMY - AIR FORCE Rank: CPL

Unit / Squadron: 314TH STATION COMPLEMENT SQUADRON

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: EUROPEAN THEATER

Service Notes: Corporal

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PRIOR WALTER Address:

Service Branch:NAVY Rank: S. 1/C

Unit / Squadron: SS DAVID STARR JORDAN, 3RD NAVAL DISTRICT

Medals / Citations:

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL

Theater of Operations / Assignment: ATLANTIC THEATER

Service Notes: Seaman First-Class Walter Prior was an armed guard aboard the Liberty ship S.S. David Starr Jordan (Hull # 0472) and assigned to USAT (US Army Transportation Service)

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: Seamen served as members of damage control or emergency and security alert teams / They participated in Navy ceremonies and took part in underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea), and they worked with qualified personnel to gain job training and experience / A Seaman was knowledgeable in naval drill duties, knots, steering and signaling / Also stood watch and handled gunnery duties

The Liberty ships, a vast new fleet for the war effort, were built in a national "Virtual Shipyard" that harnessed skills, resources, and facilities all across America. From 1941 to 1945, the United States increased its shipbuilding capacity by more than 1,200% and produced over 2,700 Liberty Ships, 800 Victory Vessels, 320 T-2 Tankers, and various other commercial and naval auxiliary vessels for a total of 5,200 ships constructed for the period / A Liberty ship was designed to carry about 10,000 tons of cargo, but in wartime conditions often carried much more / Liberty ships were nicknamed "ugly ducklings" by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

On 31 July 1942 the Transportation Service became the Transportation Corps / The Transportation Corps was a combat service support branch of the U.S. Army and responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, air, and sea during World War II / By the end of the war, the Transportation Corps had moved more than 30 million soldiers within the continental United States and 7 million soldiers, plus 126 million tons of supplies overseas

The European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York Forces which was first created on 6 November 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt / The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) and was awarded for any service performed between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 / The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded as a service ribbon throughout the entire Second World War

Name: PROSNEICK STANLEY Address:

Service Branch: Rank:

Unit / Squadron:

Medals / Citations:

Theater of Operations / Assignment:

Service Notes:

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: (NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE)

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG West Seneca Answers the Call to Arms Residents in World War II

Town of West Seneca, New York

Name: PUFPAFF MYRON G. Address: 2655 SENECA STREET

Service Branch:ARMY Rank: PFC

Unit / Squadron: 620TH PORT COMPANY, 491ST PORT BATTALION

Medals / Citations:

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON 1 BATTLE STAR

Theater of Operations / Assignment: PACIFIC THEATER

Service Notes: Private First-Class Myron G. Pufpaff participated in the Battle for New Guinea earning one Battle Star

Base Assignments:

Miscelleaneous: The 491st Port Battalion was activated in early 1943 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in southern Pennsylvania / The purpose was to train GI Soldiers as stevedores to load and unload cargo vessels any place in the world needed for war operation

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon (Medal) was a military awarded to any member of the United States Military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945

Battle (Combat) Stars were presented to military personnel who were engaged in specific battles in combat under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action

2014 WWW.WSVET.ORG